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Relegated Reading have been handed a tricky trip to newly-promoted Nottingham Forest on the opening day of the Coca-Cola Championship season.

The Royals were relegated on the final day of last season despite a 4-0 win at Derby, and will line up on the opening day against a side who were automatically promoted courtesy of a 3-2 win over Yeovil.

Forest spent three seasons at League One level after being relegated in 2005, and face a trip to League One champions Swansea in their second game of the season – but Forest fans will be rushing to put the dates of November 1 and February 21 in their diaries as that is when they face fierce rivals Derby.

The Swans themselves start with a trip to Charlton, their first trip to The Valley since 1983, while the third promoted team – Doncaster – also face a tricky start after being handed an opening day trip to relegated Derby.

The Rams set a Barclays Premier League record last season by collecting just 11 points from their 38 games, but will be looking to make a good start, while midfielder Paul Green could make his Derby debut against the club he has left this summer after more than 250 appearances.

Birmingham, the third team relegated from the top flight last season, begin their campaign with a clash against Sheffield United, who just missed out on a place in the play-offs last season.

Bristol City, beaten in the play-off final by Hull last season, begin at Blackpool, while the two beaten semi-finalists – Crystal Palace and Watford – clash at Selhurst Park, while FA Cup finalists Cardiff kick off at home to Southampton.

Title favourites QPR kick off at home to Barnsley, while Plymouth host Wolves in a reverse of the final fixture of last season.

The pick of the fixtures in League One sees Leicester – in the third tier for the first time in their history – host MK Dons, who this week rejected their approach to speak to manager Paul Ince.

Beaten play-off finalists Leeds begin their campaign at relegated Scunthorpe, Colchester kick off at Hartlepool and the three teams also promoted alongside MK Dons all travel – Peterborough to Southend, Hereford to Leyton Orient and play-off winners Stockport face Huddersfield.

The two clubs promoted to the Football League are also both on the road on the opening day of the League Two campaign.

Conference champions Aldershot face a trip to Accrington Stanley, while Exeter – who won the play-off final at Wembley – face a 665-mile round trip to face Darlington.

The four sides relegated from League One have been paired with each other on the opening day – Gillingham travel to Bournemouth while Luton, who have already been handed a 10-point deduction by the FA, host Port Vale.